Turn that Bah Humbug upside down...

I have been in a bit of a funk. Work has been extremely stressful  and I have been slightly overwhelmed. It doesn't help that I now have a work laptop so I can conveniently continue to work when I arrive at home. Instead of relaxing I have been trying to catch up.

Because of this I have been in a Bah Humbug mood. So much so I have unfortunately taken it out on my family (I can't apologize enough). It doesn't help that I have to work Christmas Eve day and won't arrive in SLC until after the festivities have begun. I have come to realize that it is my choice to live so far from the family and  consequentially that affects some of my family this year. Thanks to Melissa who is willing to stay in town to pick me up and have a non-existent Christmas morning to drive to Idaho.

I love Christmas Season, not as much as my Mother or Sister who wish it was 365 days a year,  and so it was time to end this Bah Humbug mood.

A few of my favorite things this year:

~Pulling out the decorations and that peaceful feeling of sitting with all of the lights out except for the Christmas tree. 

~I love placing all of the various items that are seen once a year around the house, making it feel warm and cozy.

~My obsessive Santa collection (I haven't been able to find a new one I am in love with)

~Never getting tired of Luke 2

~Having friends over for dinner and another night of treats and present exchange.

~Treating cute kids to lunch.

~Baking all of the various goodies

~ Listening to Dean Martin sing "Baby it's Cold Outside"

~Watching a Christmas Carol with George C. Scott. My Favorite!

~Drinking Hot Chocolate with homemade peppermint marshmallows (thanks Masha)

~The San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker.

~Christmas lights on Temple Hill

~The Memmott Christmas Charity, thanks to Emily and Jake

~Anticipating the Snow

~The thought of soon being in the company of my loved ones

I now can't wait to board that plane to spend an unconventional Memmott Christmas with my Family and see the few friends that will be in SLC.

Merry Christmas everyone!

The tree is tiny and has A LOT of lights on it. It really lights up the room.

Happy Birthday Spencer!!!

Happy Birthday to the coolest 17 year old I know!

I hope it is a year full of all the things you want to do (especially coming to visit me).

Spencer is the first Grandchild on both sides of his family. Of course he was spoiled in the beginning  but with that there are responsibilities to being the oldest and he handles them well. He has always been into knowing what makes things work. He used to take apart old electronics to see every piece. It was dangerous to say around him something didn't work because it would be in thoughtfully laid out pieces before you knew it.

I love you Spencer and hope to see you at Christmas!

Hoppipolla music video by Sigur Ros

This song is currently on heavy rotation. The video is fantastic...I love the mischievous old people.

Turkey, Dead People, Fish, Shopping, Beach Equal Fun

I was lucky enough to host Thanksgiving at the Green this year. My Parents, Melissa and my niece Ali came out to visit. There was so much to do in 4 days and we managed to get to it all and sleep just a little.

They arrived Thanksgiving morning (the best day to fly) and we snacked on crackers, cheese, artichoke dip and summer sausage (beef log as my family would call it). We watched Penelope and laid around.

After a bit we went to Mountain View Cemetery (the fascination runs in the family) and walked around. Then came home to cook Thanksgiving Dinner. It was nice to have Mom and Dad in the kitchen (they kind of took over and I was more than happy to let them). It was delicious and the perfect meal.

Ali at the Merritt Crypt

Melissa "sneaking" up on Ali and I

Thanksgiving Dinner...Yummy

Friday morning we drove to Monterey. It was a long drive for those in the back-seat but they survived. After a large lunch of Mexican food we went over to the Aquarium. My Parents and Ali had never been. This was possibly my 5th time in less than 3 years. It never gets old. I didn't take many pictures because I already have a zillion. We spent a few hours and then drove home. It was a very long day.

This fish stayed in the same place forever just looking at Ali and I.

The giant Outer Bay Tank

Every time Melissa and I go we have to reenact the photo. We have so far done it with everyone that has come with us.

Saturday~ Ali, Melissa and I went shopping in San Francisco. Ali wasn't used to so many people and spending her own money. But she powered thru after a couple of clothing and shoe stores we went music shopping instead ( a girl after my own heart). The funny thing is after shopping in San Francisco we spent most of our money at Target.

After we all went to Cactus for addicting Tacos and then off to Ici for delicious Ice cream...I had Gingerbread flavor...Yum!

In front of the Christmas tree in Union Square.

Sunday~ after church of course we drove out to see some quick sites.  A very quick stop at the Palace of Fine Arts, crossing the Golden Gate we arrived at Rodeo beach. Rodeo beach is one of my favorites in the area. Usually it isn't very crowded but the warmish day (almost 70) brought a few people out to picnic. It was Ali's first time on the beach since she was two, and she was entranced with the tide coming in. It was lovely to watch the sunset and enjoy spending time with the family.

Then we drove up to Temple Hill to see the Christmas lights. They were beautiful as usual.

Mom and Dad in front of the Oakland Temple

Palace of Fine Arts

Ali and Elephant rock in the background

Ali and the Tide

Ali and I

Ali and Melissa

Sunset at Rodeo

Melissa let me take a photo of her...Phew!

It was so much fun to have everyone come to The Green to visit. It was a bit crowded with the 1 bathroom but I loved showing off one of the coolest neighborhoods in Oakland and spending time with the people I love.

Happy Birthday Emily!!!

Happy Birthday to my adventure seeking, fun loving, awesome teacher, fabulous youngest sister and friend. I love you! I hope you have a wonderful Birthday!

Last post on Washington D.C. - Yummy!

I have discovered two new favorites while I was in D.C.

The first was Five Guys. I love their Hamburgers and Fries. I am not much of an In and Out person (I know sacrilege to some of you) but Five Guys I can totally get behind. Besides they use fresh potatoes for their french fries which are delicious...they post were that days potatoes came from. It was Shelley Idaho, a place I have been to many a time thanks to work.

Thank goodness there isn't one nearby or else I would be a fatty.

My second favorite is Georgetown Cupcake. They were divine, in fact my mouth is watering remembering the moment I took a bite. The day we went the line was not out the door only because it was the middle of the day on Wednesday.  It is such a cute little shop with so many yummy choices. If you ever get a chance you must go...it is worth it!

2nd to Last Post on Washington DC

I know so many posts about my trip that happened a month ago. I am trying to get it all down. I did so much while I was there and besides D.C. is an amazing place and deserves many posts.

My last day I had time to spend with my cool brother Dave. I wanted to go to the Zoo just to see the Pandas and because it was FREE. Just walk right in. The Pandas were cool they were sleeping so not much to see, however I can now say I have seen them. We didn't walk around much or see many of the other animals. Why you ask? Well the San Francisco Zoo is much more interactive...the animals there come out of their cages.

It was a lovely day and the colors were in full bloom.  Afterwards we went out to Old Town Alexandria, I love that town, it is so pretty.  We had yummy tacos for lunch and then it was time to go home. 

It was such a lovely way to spend a Birthday week, ring in a new Presidency and see such awesome siblings. I am so Happy I went!

Smithsonian Museums

I love to go to museums by myself because I can go at my own pace, explore and study the Art that I enjoy. Now after stating this I would never turn down the chance to go to a museum with anyone who would like to go. 

One of my favorite things about Washington D.C. are the multitude of Museums. It is difficult to get through them all in a week let alone two days.  So I picked the ones that I had not been through yet.

Monday morning was cold and dreary. It was a great day to be spent indoors. Armed with cold medicine, plenty of Kleenex and cough drops, I was ready to put a dent into a few of the museums on the Mall.  

It was 9:30 when I arrived  and the museums weren't open yet. I wandered over to the US Capitol building to pass the time for a bit.  The front steps were closed, they were preparing them for the Inauguration (YIPPEE!) I roamed around for a bit and then noticed the U.S. Botanic Gardens, It was the perfect place to warm up and see beautiful flowers. The plants and flowers were amazing. 

Afterwards I walked over to the east wing of the National Gallery to spend time with with the likes of Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, and Braque and the exhibition from Pompeii. After seeing everything I could possibly see I went down to the cafeteria and ate a bland piece of pizza, I needed nourishment for the west wing.

The West Wing of the Gallery is huge. Most people have never seen every piece of work but I was determined to. I spent several hours and managed to see every room. I only managed to get lost once.

I then walked over to the Natural History Museum.  At this point I was waning a bit but I really wanted to see this one. It was really crowded! I managed to see most of what I wanted to. However large school groups of adolescents (a nightmare of mine something about squealing girls) and my cold medicine waring off I decided that it was time to call it a day.

I wandered through the sculpture garden up to a Starbucks for something warm to drink. It was nice to sit and relax. My wanderings brought me close to the White House so I stopped by to wave farewell.

It was a fantastic but exhausting day. 

Tuesday I started again. I rode the Metro in for the National Portrait Gallery. This is not on the Mall but I highly recommend it. It is a gorgeous building with much to see. The Hall of Presidents is amazing. 

It was a drizzly day as I walked out side to find something to eat it started to pour. I didn't care I really like the rain. It was Tuesday and Starbucks was giving out free drinks to those who voted. So I went and enjoyed a Hot Chocolate as I watched the world go by. It is very interesting to watch people in the rain.

Afterwards I trekked down to the Holocaust Museum. I am so happy that I was able to fit this one in. It is such a sobering experience.

I headed back in time for the election results to start coming in. There was an electricity in the air and I was giddy with anticipation (that is between hacking my lungs up). With Pizza ordered in Dave, Brooke and I started the long night glued to the T.V. If I were only feeling better I would have loved to be down by the White House. It was the perfect ending to two great days spent the way I wanted.

The pictures below are from the first day. For some reason I didn't take any pictures on the second day. It wasn't necessary.